Gomez: Softball league opens season Feb. 16

Dust off your cleats, grab your mitt and head down to La Bonita Park for the 2013 Opening Day Ceremony of the La Habra Girls Softball Association on Feb. 16.

There will be a pancake breakfast beginning at 8 a.m., followed by a parade of the teams on Field 1 at noon.

Last season was a great year for LHGSA and this year looks to be just as promising. Games begin on Feb. 18 and the season goes through May 4.

GET WELLI would like to wish Fullerton Joint Union High School District Superintendent George Giokaris a speedy recovery after he was injured in a recent bicycle accident. George was riding on a bike trail when the bike came out from under him as he rode across a wet patch. Although he suffered a few injuries, I am grateful no surgery is required. Get well soon, George.

SEWER WORK At about 8:30 on a recent morning, Public Works Department employees were cleaning the sewer line beneath Euclid Street, just south of Electric Avenue. Employees worked above ground in close proximity to the manhole, feeding the cleaning hose into the sewer line. The employees were retrieving the cleaning equipment after finishing, when they noticed a strong odor. They quickly experienced a shortness of breath and were overcome by fumes emanating from the sewer line. Each of the employees affected by the fumes was transported to St. Jude Medical Center. Thankfully, none were seriously injured. Two employees were released after a short examination; the third was released later in the day. The cause of the gas was determined to be a natural breakdown of organic material and the sewer system was flushed with 25,000 gallons of water. We are reviewing our response protocols to ensure we are operating within established safety parameters.

SERVE LA HABRAWant to serve your community, but don't know where to start? Applications are now being accepted from La Habra residents interested in serving on the Community Services Commission (three vacancies), Planning Commission (one vacancy) and the Beautification Committee (one vacancy). The term varies for each appointed office. All applications must be filed with the City Clerk no later than 4:30 p.m. Feb. 22. Interviews are tentatively scheduled to occur (as needed) on March 4 and 18, and April 1. Residents are encouraged to apply and may get more information about each commission/committee from the City Clerk at 562-905-9701.

This project was approved by the City Council and Redevelopment Agency in April 2011. Construction is anticipated to begin by mid-year. At that time the council and RDA approved an agreement providing for the conveyance of the properties from the city to Habitat for Humanity as part of the project. Although the RDA is no longer in existence, the agreement is an "Enforceable Obligation" under current state law and is still in effect. Three of the units will be deed restricted to remain affordable housing for 45 years.

NEW LOOKCity staff have been working with representatives of McDonald's on the rehabilitation of their restaurant at 401 E. Whittier Blvd. The original plans were problematic and several zone variances would have been required. It would have likely been difficult to make the legal findings necessary to approve the variance requests.

Staff from our Community Development Department developed a number of conceptual designs that would not require a variance and could be implemented at no additional cost to the applicant. Several of these suggestions have been incorporated into McDonald's revised site plan, which has been submitted along with the required applications. Staff is reviewing the plans and the Design Review Committee is scheduled to discuss the project at its next meeting.

BUS SERVICELast year, the Orange County Transportation Authority contacted the city about a proposed pilot program that would add "express bus service" along three routes. One of the proposed routes included Harbor Boulevard between Costa Mesa and the Fullerton Transportation Center. In light of other OCTA service reductions and concerns expressed by La Habra residents, city staff responded to OCTA with the request that the proposed Harbor route be extended north from Fullerton into La Habra.

On Jan. 14, the OCTA board considered the bus pilot program. Board members spoke at length about the issue, including La Habra Councilman Tim Shaw who serves as representative to OCTA for cities within the 4th Supervisorial District. Ultimately, the board decided that it may consider extending the service to La Habra at a future date if the pilot program is successful. I'll provide more information about this possibility as it becomes available.

BILL PAYAs you know you can now pay your water bill online. Within just two weeks we went from 350 customers paying online oven ore than 800 customers. We have received very positive feedback on the new water paying online system.

James Gomez is a councilman and former mayor for the city of La Habra. Reach him at 714-738-5926.